Sept. 17, 2010

Team Standings l Individual Standings

ALBUQUERQUE (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV women's golf team opened up the 2010-11 season today in Albuquerque, N.M. at the 31st Annual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, playing its way into seventh place the first two rounds of action.

Senior and two-time All-American Therese Koelbaek shot 6-under 140 through 36 holes, giving her a two-shot lead over Oregon's Erica Omlid heading into action Saturday. Koelbaek started off her first round with 13 consecutive pars before sinking three birdies in a row to finish at 3-under. In the second round, she carded three birdies in a span of six holes, extending her lead to two shots over the talented field.

The Rebels as a team shot 22-over par (606) on the day and stand 19 strokes behind leader Ohio State. San Diego State sits in second at 7-over par while Oregon is third at 8-over, Denver fourth at 10-over, UC Davis in fifth at 11-over and Colorado in sixth after a 12-over day.

"The team finished strong today," first-year head coach Amy Bush said. "They battled through 36 holes to put themselves in decent position . Right now we are ahead of some highly-ranked teams and I look forward to what tomorrow brings."

Senior Alejandra Guacaneme and junior Kristen Schelling are both tied for 20th after shooting 4-over 150 on the day. Guacaneme started the day with a 4-over 77 and finished shooting even par on the second 18 while Schelling was 5-over after the first round, but regrouped and shot a 1-under 72 over the second 18 holes.

Also competing as an individual is freshman Katerina Prorovoka, standing in a tie for 50th place after shooting a 10-over 156 in her first collegiate tournament.

Action at the UNM Championship Golf Club picks up tomorrow morning.